Perspective

I've often thought that it is not the circumstances that have control over our attitudes, but our perspectives.

Recently, a friend made the comment that I am always so optimistic.  I was honored that she wanted to have that part of me rub off on her.  When she asked how I do it, I had to stop and think.  I realized that I haven't always been so optimistic (just ask my mom!).

I honestly think it goes back to counseling in Jr. High.  The natural expectation when you go to a psychologist is to talk about everything going wrong in your life.  My psychologist began challenging this thought process by asking me "and what's good?"

After a few weeks of this, I began to think during the week of good things I wanted to share with him during our sessions.  Perhaps its the achiever in me, but I wanted him to see that I was getting better.  And now, this is simply a part of who I am.

So, here's my optimism for the weekend: this morning, I got to sleep in until 6am!  (Yes, I know, "sleeping in" and "6am" should not belong in the same sentence!  But its an hour later than my week day schedule.  And, remember, its all about perspective!)

Paradigm shift

A piece of what I'm learning in Advanced Bible Study Methods...

Every genre type in the Bible has a specific format which it follows.  Epistles have an opening where the author and receiver are identified, followed by a greeting.  Next comes either a note of thanksgiving or a prayer before the body comes.

The body is characterized by two aspects: an exposition and an exhortation.  In concluding letters, we first see travel information (sending someone, making plans to come, or a wish to come soon) before greetings and/or a blessing.

Look at the epistles in the Bible, you'll see the pattern.

Then, look at 1 John.  Where's the introduction of the author?  Of the receiver?  Hmm.... missing.  Well, where's the greeting?  The prayer?  How about a note of thanksgiving instead?  Hmm... missing.  Since the entire introduction seems to be missing, let's look for the typical conclusion...

Travel information?  Gone.  A greeting or a blessing?  Also absent.  So is this an epistle?

Nope.  Its not.  Its poetry.  And we start looking at all the parallelism (which is the main structure of Hebrew poetry), the "epistle" becomes alive!  Wow, a whole new way to study the book of 1 John.

Holding On

I didn't realize how much I am barely holding it together.  One afternoon of "unexpected extras" has completely stressed me out and pushed me into "panic mode."

That might not be fair to myself.  In actuality, I am scheduled for 3 shifts at my third job this week instead of the expected "no more than 2."  One is on-call, and I am praying I am not called in.  I don't know how I'll pull things off if I am.  The other two are long shifts (over 7 hours), which is great for my paycheck.  But not great for my study time! 

Add to that, I just came back from All-College Retreat (which was WONDERFUL!).  I came back and had over 5 hours of homework Monday night.  Tuesday I left at 6:30 and got home at 7:30.  A 13-hour day. 

Wednesdays are normally my light days.  I didn't realize how much I treasure having the afternoons to myself.  But today I didn't get home until 5:00.  Tomorrow's homework was already done (yea!), but Friday's isn't and if I get called in tomorrow night I won't have another opportunity to finish it.  I thought I would do it this afternoon.

I am suddenly finding myself hanging by a thread.  Time management is one of my strengths, but when two unexpected meetings get thrown my way, keeping me on campus 4 hours later than expected, my time management can quickly become a detriment to me.

I will survive.  I will hold things together.  But right about now, I am looking forward to a "catch-up day."  I just wish I knew how soon one will come.